title: Multivalent, biodegradable polyglycerol hydrogels.
abstract: In this paper we describe the preparation of disulfide crosslinked polyglycerol hydrogels by the ring-opening crosslinking polymerization of glycerol and polyethylene glycol-based polyepoxides and Na2S2. Multivalent polyglycerol hydrogels were prepared by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of remaining epoxide functionalities. Additionally, a near infrared fluorescent dye was encapsulated in the hydrogel network. Our hydrogels show complete degradation in reducing environments and a controlled release of the fluorescence dye was observed. These hydrogels are interesting scaffolds for bioactive substances, which can be released, triggered by the hydrogel degradation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinhilber
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haag
authors.forename: Adam L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sisson
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004220:Disulfides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D005990:Glycerol / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007700:Kinetics; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004220:Disulfides; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D020100:Hydrogels; D011108:Polymers; C043941:polyglycerol; D005990:Glycerol